Speakers and Presentations

We strive to have several speakers come to the Twin Cities every year to speak on topics ranging from animal ethics and advocacy to vegetarianism and nutrition. To make the events as accessible and appealing as possible to the community, all of our events are free of charge, provide free vegetarian resources, and often include delicious refreshments.

Check out upcoming events calendar to see who is speaking next!

Featured Past Speakers

• Anthony Marr, environmentalist and author
  
• Brenda Davis, R.D., registered dietician and author of "Becoming Vegan"
  
• Carol J. Adams, author of "The Sexual Politics of Meat" and "Living Among Meat Eaters"
• Dan Piraro, comedian and creator of the syndicated comic strip "Bizarro"
  
• Erik Marcus, author of "Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating" and "Meat Market"
• Freeman Wicklund, animal activist and humane educator
  
• Gene Baur, co-founder and president of Farm Sanctuary
  
• George Eisman, R.D., registered dietician
• Harold Brown, former animal farmer featured in Peaceable Kingdom
• Jon Camp, outreach coordinator for Vegan Outreach
  
• Jonathan Balcombe, research consultant and author of "Pleasurable Kingdom"
  
• Josephine Bellaccomo, author of "Move The Message"
• Julie Andrzejewski - professor of Human Relations at St. Cloud State University
  
• Marc Bekoff, biologist, animal behaviorist, and author
  
• Mary Britton Clouse, director of Chicken Run Rescue Sanctuary
• Michael Greger, director of Public Health and Animal Agriculture at the Humane Society of the United States
• Neal Barnard, clinical researcher, author, and president of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
  
• Peter Singer, bioethicist and author of "Animal Liberation," "Animal Factories," and "The Way We Eat"
• Tom Regan, philosopher and author of "The Case for Animal Rights" and "Empty Cages"
• Suzanne Sorenson, R.D., registered dietician

Selected Events

• In September 2006, over 330 people converged to hear the world renowned animal behaviorist and biologist Dr. Marc Bekoff, present "Animal Passions and Beastly Virtues," a lecture on the emotional world of farm animals. The multi-media presentation was both light hearted and informative, and encouraged many to cut animal products from their diet. Attendees got a chance to meet Dr. Bekoff following the presentation and socialize with each other over delicious vegan food.
  
• In March of 2006, speaking to an audience so big that even the standing room was taken--a first for a lecture in the history of the Ted Mann Concert Hall--renowned bioethicist and pioneer of the animal protection movement, Peter Singer, made a compelling case for giving animals serious moral consideration. His case was so compelling that, beyond the 1,300 who managed to get inside the Ted Mann Concert Hall, an additional 100 people, who got there after the hall had filled, decided to watch the lecture outside of the auditorium on small monitors with inadequate sound (with an additional 200 people turned away at the doors due to the lack of space). The attendees gave the lecture an excellent rating on the event surveys, calling it "wonderful" and "life-changing." During the catered reception that followed, attendees discussed the issues among themselves, talked to Singer personally, and enjoyed delicious vegan food.
• In November 2005, CAA held "The Future of Animal Advocacy: An Activist Workshop" which featured a special guest lecture by renowned author and advocate Erik Marcus. Marcus maintains the popular website www.vegan.com and is the author of "Vegan: A New Ethics of Eating" as well as his most recent work, "Meat Market: Animals, Ethics, and Money." The workshop included a discussion on effective animal advocacy led by Marcus, a presentation of strategies and tips by various CAA members, and a round table discussion on the future of our movement. This event was a great opportunity to converge with activists and leaders from across Minnesota (and the Midwest), share ideas, network, and work towards a more effective movement for animals.
• At our vegetarian potluck in October 2005, longtime activist, founder, and director of Chicken Run Rescue, Mary Britton Clouse, led a captivating presentation on the hidden lives of chickens in a multimedia slideshow presentation. No one knows these birds better than Mary, who maintains a small chicken sanctuary out of her home in North Minneapolis.
• Harold Brown, a former farmer and star in the documentary "Peaceable Kingdom," joined us in October of 2005 for a question and answer session after a public screening of the film, and for our Veg Week potluck. Brown's presentation "From Animal Farmer to Animal Advocate" told his motivating personal story about his transition to veganism and activism. It was a great opportunity to talk with Harold Brown and ask him questions about his success as an animal rights advocate.
• On April 14, 2005 renowned stand-up comedian and syndicated cartoonist for "Bizarro," Dan Piraro presented a hilariously entertaining, multimedia-packed presentation on his lifelong infatuation with art and his career in comedy, as well as his transition to vegetarianism. Dan Piraro has been entertaining readers for the past 20 years with his zany cartoon, "Bizarro," which is featured in over 200 daily newspapers worldwide. The event was followed by a catered reception with vegan pizza and cookies, and those who attended were given a chance to get cartoons and books autographed, ask Piraro questions one-on-one, and socialize with other attendees.
• Many people who are considering becoming vegetarian or vegan want to learn more about the health aspects before they make the switch. For this reason, we have had nutritionists such as Brenda Davis, George Eisman, and Michael Greger come to Minnesota to speak on these topics. These lively and entertaining presentations were packed with practical advice on how to go vegetarian or vegan, from meal planning to nutrition to the personal and social aspects of making the transition.
• On November 4, 2004, renowned author and eco-feminist, Carol J. Adams, presented her slideshow, "The Sexual Politics of Meat," to a packed room of more than 200 people. In her presentation, she used images from the popular media to highlight the interconnected nature of sexism, speciesism, and racism, making clear the commonalities in these struggles. Students challenged Adams in a question and answer period, and the discussion continued well into the reception that followed.
• Philosophical catalyst of the modern animal rights movement, author, and activist, Tom Regan, spoke to over 170 people at the University of Minnesota on April 6, 2004. The title of the speech was ,"Empty Cages: Facing the Challenge of the Animal Rights Movement." In this dynamic and engaging talk, he presented an overview of his argument for animal rights as well as some background on the animal rights movement.